Interchangeable variable width end attachments for watch bands



Nov. 16, 1965 POON YUEN SANG 3,217,374

INI'ERCI-IANGEABLE VARIABLE WIDTH END ATTACHMENTS FOR WATCH BANDS Filed March 2 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 6 INVENTOR. BY P0027 Yz/m Smy wk w Nov. 16, 1965 POON YUEN SANG 3,217,374

INTERCHANGEABLE VARIABLE WIDTH END ATTACHMENTS FOR WATCH BANDS Filed March 2, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. P0077 YZ/Fi? 50/79 A TTORNE Y5 United States Patent 3,217,374 INTERCHANGEABLE VARIABLE WIDTH END ATTACHMENTS FOR WATCH BANDS Poon Yuen Sang, Hong Kong, assignor to Baldwin Bracelet Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Mar. 2, 1964, Ser. No. 348,649 11 Claims. (Cl. 24-265) The present invention relates generally to wrist watch bracelets and particularly to self-adjustable variable width end attachments therefor.

Wrist watch cases are provided with two pairs of projecting connecting lugs. A spring connecting pin is mounted between the individual lugs of each pair of lugs. The wrist watch band or bracelet is provided at each end thereof with an end attachment by means of which the bracelet is connected to the pin. Both from the functional viewpoint, as well as the esthetic viewpoint, it is highly desirable that the end attachment completely fills the space between the associated lugs of each pair of lugs. If the end attachment is too small, it will slide on the connecting pin between the watch lugs. This results in a feeling of discomfort due to the relative motion between the watch case and the end attachment. In addition, the movement of the end attachment between the lugs may pinch the wearers skin. If the end attachment is too large, it has to be filed down and this is a relatively time consuming job. Due to the fact that the spacing between watch lugs is not standardized, nor is the width of the bracelets standardized, it was heretofore necessary to stock a large number of bands of different widths or to stock end attachments of different widths. In an attempt to solve this problem, there were provided bracelets having variable width end attachments. However, such prior art end attachments have been relatively complex and this resulted in a relatively high price requirement and a device which was not relatively trouble-free.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a variable width end attachment for a watch band or bracelet which obviates the disadvantages of prior art end attachments.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an end attachment of generally simplified construction, which utilizes simple and inexpensive parts susceptible of mass production, which has a relatively long trouble-free life and which can be manufactured at a relatively low cost and sold at a relatively low price.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a variable width end attachment which utilizes a simple compression spring to provide a constant resilient bias between a pair of slidable parts which are urged into engagement with the companion watch lugs of each pair thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a variable width end attachment in which the pair of slidable parts may be readily removed from the end attachment and replaced. In this manner, worn parts may be replaced by new parts to prolong the useful life of the end attachment. In addition, the slidable parts in the end attachment may be replaced by slidable parts having a different shape or design so as to provide a different esthetic effect to the end attachments.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an end attachment which can be readily connected to the watch in a simple and facile manner.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from a consideration of the following specification, taken in connection with the appended drawings.

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In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front view of a watch and bracelet provided with an end attachment pursuant to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary rear view of the watch, bracelet and end attachment;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, with parts of the end attachment omitted for purpose of illustration;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 66 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the end attachment;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the base plate of the end attachment reversed by degrees from the view thereof shown in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a modified pair of slidable members.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, there is shown a wrist watch 10 provided with a watch band or bracelet 12 having an end attachment 14 pursuant to the present invention. The wrist watch 10 has a case 16 which is provided, in the usual manner, with two pairs of watch lugs 18. Each pair of lugs mounts a conventional tubular spring connecting pin 20.

Except for the end attachment 14, the watch band 12 is of conventional construction. The Watch band is of the expansible type and is provided with pivotally connected upper links 22 and lower links 24. Each end attachment 14 is connected to the adjacent end upper link 22A and the adjacent end lower link 24A as hereinafter described in detail.

The end attachment 14, as best shown in FIG. 7, comprises a base plate 26, a pair of laterally slidable members 28 and 30, a coiled compression spring 32 and a top shell 34. The base plate 26, the slidable members 2830 and the topshell 34 are preferably provided with a finish which matches the finish of the upper links 22.

The base plate 26 comprises a tubular portion 36 and a fiat lateral portion 38 integral therewith. The tubular portion 36 is substantially rectangular in cross-section and comprises a bottom wall 40, a top wall 42, one side wall 44 extending between the said top and bottom walls, and an abbreviated side wall 46 which extends upwardly part way from the bottom wall to the top wall. The flat portion 38 extends laterally from side Wall 46. Two linear open slots 48 and 50 are defined in the side wall 44. A portion of the upper wall 36 is bent inwardly to define a tang 52 which extends toward the bottom wall 40, as best shown in FIG. 5. Three rectangular apertures 54, 56, and 58 are defined at the junction of the bottom wall 40 and the abbreviated side wall 46. The flat portion or the ledge 38 is provided with a tab 6% in which there is defined an aperture 62. The flat portion is provided also with an enclosed arcuate slot 64.

The laterally slidable members 28 and 30, which are similar but in confronting relation, each have a substantially tubular conformation 66 which is substantially rectangular in cross-section. The laterally slidable members 28 and 30 are also each provided with a similar substantially tubular conformation 68, one end of which is closed by an end wall 70 while the opposing end is open, as at 71. The tubular conformation 68 is integral with the tubular conformation 66. The tubular conformation 68 of the slidable members 28-39 have smaller external dimensions than the internal dimensions of the tubular portion 36 of the base plate 26 whereby said tubular portion 36 of base plate 26 is adapted to telescopically receive said slidable members in such a way that the tubular conformation 68 of each slidable member is disposed within the tubular portion 36 of the base plate 26 for a purpose hereinafter described in detail. The tubular conformation 66 of each of the slidable members 28 and 30 has opposing upper and lower walls 72 and 74, respectively, a side wall 76 which extends between said upper and lower walls, and opposing said side Wall, there is an abbreviated lower side wall 78 extending upwardly from the lower wall 74 and an abbreviated upper side wall 80 extending downwardly from the upper Wall 72 in confronting relation to the lower sidewall 78. The upper wall 72 has an oblique portion 82 which extends therefrom to the side wall 76. Each lower wall 74 is provided, at its end remote from the other laterally slidable member, with a recess 84. Similarly, the tubular conformation 68 of each of the slidable members 28 and 30 has opposing upper and lower walls 88 and 90, a side wall 92 extending between said upper and lower walls, an end wall 70 extending between said upper and lower walls 88 and 90. Opposing side Wall 92, there is an abbreviated upper side wall 94 extending downwardly from upper wall 88 and an abbreviated lower side wall 96 extending upwardly from lower wall 90. The abbreviated upper and lower side walls 94 and 96 are laterally obliquely inclined and each has a flat projection 98 and 100, respectively, by which the tubular conformation 68 is in connection with the tubular conformation 66. The opposite ends of the open spiral compression spring 32 are adapted to be seated in the tubular conformations 68, as hereinafter described in detail.

The top shell 34 comprises a main tubular body 102 and a lateral tubular portion 104. The main body 102 is provided with opposing top and bottom walls 106 and 108, respectively. The lateral portion 104 comprises an upper wall 112 and a lower wall 114. Said upper and lower walls of portion 104 are interconnected by a rear side wall 116 which has an oblique portion 118 which extends therefrom to the upper wall 112. The lower wall 114 has opposite diverging marginal side edges 120 and 122 (FIG. 2) which extend from the rear side wall 116 to an abbreviated lower side wall 124 which extends upwardly from bottom wall 108 towards the top Wall 106. The top wall 106 is provided with abbreviated upper side walls 126 which extend downwardly and in confronting relation to abbreviated lower side walls 124. Another abbreviated upper side wall 128 extends downwardly from the other side of top wall 106 to oppose an abbreviated lower side wall 130 which extends upwardly from the bottom wall 108. The bottom wall 108 is provided with a tang 132 and two laterally extending end tabs 134 and 136.

The main body 102 of the top shell has larger internal dimensions than the external dimensions of the tubular portion 36 of the base plate 26, whereby said top shell is adapted to telescopically receive said tubular portion 36 therein. The lateral portion 104 of the top shell 34 also has larger internal dimensions than the external dimensions of the tubular conformations 66 of the slidable members 28 and 30, whereby said lateral portion is adapted to telescopically receive said conformations 66 therein for a purpose hereinafter described in detail.

The pin 20 is of conventional construction and comprises a tube 138 in which there is mounted a spiral compression spring 140 (FIG. 6). The tube or housing 138 is provided with two opposing reduced ends 142 and 144. As here shown, reduced end 142 is fixed and reduced end 144 is provided on a plunger 146 which is resiliently biased in an outward direction by the spring 140. Reduced ends 142 and 144 are adapted to be received in apertures 148 provided in the lugs 18 on the watch frame 16.

The flat portion 38 of the base plate 26 is utilized to secure the end attachment 14 to the watch bracelet 12. For this purpose, the outermost top link 22A is pivotally secured to the tab 60 by means of a pivot pin 150 (FIG. 2) which extends from top link 22A and is seated in aperture 62. A pin 152 provided in the outermost lower link 24A rides in the arcuate slot 64. The outer or upper surface portion of the ledge 38, which includes the arcuate slot 64, is covered by a conventional shell 154 which is the same type of outer shell that is used on the upper links 22. Said shell 154 is provided with tabs 156-158 which extend through apertures 54-56 provided in tubular portion 36, and with two additional tabs 160-162 which oppose the tabs 156-158, said tabs 160- 162 being bent under the bottom surface of ledge 38, as best shown in FIG. 2, to retain the shell in position on the ledge.

The tang 132 provided in the bottom wall 108 of top shell 34 is bent into the aperture 58 at the underside of the base plate 26, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, to retain the top shell 34 in proper position.

The end tabs 134 and 136 provided in top shell 34 are bent vertically to the position shown in broken line in FIG. 7, (and as shown in FIG. 5) after the slidable members 28 and 30 are assembled, so as to prevent said slidable members from sliding out of the tubular portion 36 of the base plate 26.

The base plate 36 is provided with the previously mentioned bent finger or tang 52 to prevent the displacement of spring 32, as hereinafter described. In the assembled condition of the end attachment 14, the tubular body 36 of base plate 26 is seated within the tubular body 102 of top shell 34, the ledge 38 extending laterally through the space 129 between the abbreviated upper side wall 128 and the abbreviated lower side wall 130 of said body. The spring 32 is seated in the confronting conformations 68 of the slidable members 28 and 30, respectively. The slidable members are telescopically mounted in both the tubular or box-like portion 36 of the base plate 26 and the box-like lateral portion 104 of the top shell 34, it being noted that said slidable members have complementary tubular or box-like conformations. The fit of the members 28 and 30 in the tubular portion 36 and the lateral portion 104 permits for the slidable movement of said members therein, as indicated by arrows 164 in FIG. 3, arrows 166 in FIG. 5 and arrows 168 in FIG. 6. More specifically, the tubular portions 68 of the slidable members 28 and 30 are telescopically received in the tubular body 36 of base plate 26, the connecting portions 98 and 100 of said slidable members extending through the open slots 48 and 50, respectively, of said tubular portion and free to move laterally therein. Said connecting portions also extend through the spaces 125 (FIG. 7) between the sidewall portions 124 and 126 of the top shell 34 so that the tubular portions 66 of the slidable members are telescopically received in the tubular portion 104 of the top shell 34. The pin 20 extends through the tubular portions 66 of the slidable members.

It will be noted from FIG. 3 that with the box-like slidable members 28 and 30 telescopically mounted in the box-like portion 36 of the base plate 26 and with said members being resiliently retained at the two ends of the spring 32, a part of the spring connecting pin 20 marked 170 (FIG. 3) and the tubular portion 36 of the base plate 26 are visible. The topshell 34 functions to overlie said exposed part 170 and said tubular portion 36.

As best shown in FIG. 5, the tang 52 extends between a pair of adjacent spring convolutions, substantially centrally of the spring. In the connection, it will be apparent that since tang 52 merely extends between adjacent convolutions of the spring, it has no effect on the operation of the spring.

With the end attachment 14 assembled and secured on the bracelet 12, as described, the spring pin may then be readily inserted into the tubular conformations 66 of the slidable members 28-30, the free reduced ends 142 and 144 of the spring pin may then be inserted, in conventional manner, into the apertures 148 of the watch case 16. During the insertion of said reduced spring pin ends into the watch case, it may be necessary to urge the slidable members 28 and 30 together in order to expose the free ends of the spring pin. However, after the spring pin is mounted in the watch case, the spring 32, which is stressed by compression when the slidable members are moved together, will expand so as to urge said members apart and into engagement with the watch lugs 18. As a result, the space between the watch lugs is completely filled and the contact pin is completely hidden from view. By filling the space between the logs, the ends of the watch band are prevented from moving between the lugs so as to provide a very comfortable fit free of any possibility of pinching of the skin. Once the slidable members 28 and are released, they are free to adjust themselves in the space between the lugs under the constant resilient bias of the spring 32. The tubular portion 36 of the base plate 26 serves as a guide for the slidable members during both the compression and extension of spring 32.

Pursuant to a widely novel feature of the present in vention, the slidable members can be conveniently replaced by others, either for providing a different esthetic effect or for repair purposes. For example, the pair of slidable members 28A and 30A shown in FIG. 9 are also suitable for the end attachment and can be utilized to replace slidable members 28 and 30. Slidable members 28A and 30A are similar to members 28 and 30, except for appearance or shape, similar reference numerals indicating similar parts. It will be noted that the tubular portions 66 of members 28A and 30A have a partially arcuate outer edge contour, as at 67A, which is complementary to the circular watch case 16, rather than the linear outer edge contour 67 of members 28 and 30. In all other respects, they are identical to members 28 and 30. In order to replace the existing slidable members in the end attachment, it is only necessary first to unbend the end tabs 134-136 from the broken line to the full line position thereof, as shown in FIG. 7, then to remove the slidable members from one end attachment and insert another pair therein, and finally to bend the end tabs 134-136 back to the broken line position thereof.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have provided a highly novel and efiicient adjustable width end attachment for a Watch bracelet or the like. It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein, without however departing from the basic inventive concept thereof, as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A variable width end attachment comprising a base member having a tubular body and a portion extending laterally from said tubular body for engagement with a watch band, a pair of slidable elements each having a first tubular portion mounted for slidable movement within said tubular body and a second tubular portion extending laterally from said tubular body for the reception of a watch-connecting pin, spring means mounted within said tubular body and having its opposite ends engaged in the first tubular portions of said slidable elements so as to urge said slidable elements apart, and a shell encompassing said tubular body and said second tubular portions, said second tubular portions being slidably movable within said shell.

2. An end attachment as in claim 1, said tubular body having means engageable with said spring means to retain the latter against displacement relative thereto.

3. An end attachment as in claim 1, said shell having a first tubular portion in which said tubular body is disposed and a second tubular portion in which the second tubular portions of said slidable members are disposed and from which they extend laterally.

4. An end attachment as in claim 1, said shell having a first tubular portion in which said tubular body is disposed and a second tubular portion in which the second tubular portions of said slidable members are disposed and from which they extend laterally, said second tubular portions each having a linear outer edge which would confront a Watch case to which the watch band is attached.

5. An end attachment as in claim 1, said shell having a first tubular portion in which said tubular body is diposed and a second tubular portion in which the second tubular portions of said slidable members are disposed and from which they extend laterally, said second tubular portions each having at least a partially arcuate outer edge which would confront a watch case to which the watch band is attached.

6. A variable width end attachment for a watch band or the like, said attachment comprising an outer shell having a principal tubular portion and an auxiliary tubular portion laterally of said principal portion, a tubular member mounted in fixed relation within said principal tubular portion, compression spring means mounted within said tubular member, and a pair of movable elements each having afirst tubular portion and a second tubular portion, said first tubular portions being slidably disposed within said tubular member and said second tubular portions being slidably disposed within said auxiliary tubular portion of said outer shell, said spring means resilienttly biasing said first tubular portions apart, and said closed tubular portions being adapted for the reception of a watch connecting pin.

7. A variable width end attachment as in claim 6, said tubular member having a projection which extends between adjacent convolutions of said compression spring to prevent inadvertent displacement thereof.

8. A variable width end attachment as in claim 6, said outer shell and said tubular member having interengaging portions to prevent lateral displacement of said outer shell.

9. A variable Width end attachment for a watch band or the like, said attachment comprising an outer shell having a principal tubular portion and an auxiliary tubular portion laterally of said principal portion, a tubular member bounted in fixed relation within said principal tubular portion, compression spring means mounted within said tubular member, and a pair of movable elements each having a first tubular portion and a second tubular portion, said first tubular portions being slidably disposed within said tubular member and said second tubular portions being slidably disposed within said auxiliary tubular portion of said outer shell, said spring means resiliently biasing said first tubular portions apart, and said second tubular portions being adapted for the reception of a watch-connecting pin, said tubular member having a lateral extension having provision to pivotally engage the watch band.

10. A variable width end attachment for a bracelet or the like, comprising a base plate having a tubular guide portion and a flat lateral extension for engagement With the bracelet, a pair of tubular members mounted for slidable guided movement within said guide portion, compression spring means mounted Within said guide portion and engaged between said tubular members to bias them apart from each other, an outer shell in which said tubular guide portion and said tubular members are mounted, said tubular members normally projecting from opposite sides of said outer shell and being movable together against the bias of said spring means to telescope within said outer shell, said outer shell having a top wall, a bottom Wall provided with opposite end detents, and a tubular cover portion which extends laterally from the top and bottom walls, said slidable members each having a tubular portion adapted to encompass a watch connector pin, said latter tubular portions being disposed within said tu bular cover portion and biased apart by said spring means whereby said tubular cover portion covers the space between said slidable members tubular portions when they 7 are urgedapart, said top Wall overlying said tubular guide portion, said bottom wall underlying said tubular guide portion, and said end detents engaging the opposite ends of said tubular guide portion.

11. A variable width end attachment as in claim 10, said end detents being bendable for disengagement from said tubular guide portion for replacement of said slidable members.

1,776,898 9/1930 Hadley. 1,890,320 12/1932 Field 24-265 Speck. Obst 24265 Boots. Burkhardt. Rodriquez. Minutoli.

France. France.

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

DONLEY J. STOCKING, Examiner. 

1. A VARIABLE WIDTH END ATTACHMENT COMPRISING A BASE MEMBER HAVING A TUBULAR BODY AND A PORTION EXTENDING LATERALLY FROM SAID TUBULAR BODY FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH A WATCH BAND, A PAIR OF SLIDABLE ELEMENTS HAVING A FIRST TUBULAR PORTION MOUNTED FOR SLIDABLE MOVEMENT WITHIN SAID TUBULAR BODY AND A SECOND TUBULAR PORTION EXTENDING LATERALLY FROM SAID TUBULAR BODY FOR THE RECEPTION OF A WATCH-CONNECTING PIN, SPRING MEANS MOUNTED WITHIN SAID TUBULAR BODY AND HAVING ITS OPPOSITE ENDS ENGAGED IN THE FIRST TUBULAR PORTIONS OF SAID SLIDABLE ELEMENTS SO AS TO URGE SAID SLIDABLE ELEMENTS APART, AND A SHELL ENCOMPASSING SAID TUBULAR BODY AND SAID SECOND TUBULAR PORTIONS, SAID SECOND TUBULAR PORTIONS BEING SLIDABLY MOVABLE WITHIN SAID SHELL. 